Salem Witch Trials:

The Trial of The Accuser

http://youtu.be/FEuaaOQPIP8
Date: October 5, 2014
Time: 6 p.m.
Place: Missouri Theatre
Admission is free.
This year we are seeking justice for those who were executed during the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. Salem, Massachusetts was a town littered with discord. The King of England was revoking the colony’s charter because of its overly zealous religious laws. The town of Salem was constantly under attack by Native Americans. The Puritans of Salem had exiled all non-Puritans from their town. The church of Salem Village was poorly run and left many grasping for power. In a town where the fear of the Devil was a real and dangerous threat, and the protection of your soul was greater than protection of your person, who wouldn’t fear the presence of the Devil’s minions? Who wouldn’t cry out in fear of their immortal souls? But, who would gain from this hysterical and horrendous moment in this country’s history? There seems to be just one man.

Message from the Director

The trial is not scripted, nor rehearsed. The attorneys prepared from a compilation of witness statements and evidence as if they were preparing for a real trial. Each side will not know exactly what to expect from the opposing side or the witnesses. So please enjoy the twists and turns of our theatrical, historical trial! I look forward to seeing you there!
~ Megan Tongue, Trial Director

Watch the Trial

Salem Witch Trials:

The Trial of The Accuser

http://youtu.be/FEuaaOQPIP8
Date: October 5, 2014
Time: 6 p.m.
Place: Missouri Theatre
Admission is free.
This year we are seeking justice for those who were executed during the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. Salem, Massachusetts was a town littered with discord. The King of England was revoking the colony’s charter because of its overly zealous religious laws. The town of Salem was constantly under attack by Native Americans. The Puritans of Salem had exiled all non-Puritans from their town. The church of Salem Village was poorly run and left many grasping for power. In a town where the fear of the Devil was a real and dangerous threat, and the protection of your soul was greater than protection of your person, who wouldn’t fear the presence of the Devil’s minions? Who wouldn’t cry out in fear of their immortal souls? But, who would gain from this hysterical and horrendous moment in this country’s history? There seems to be just one man.

Message from the Director

The trial is not scripted, nor rehearsed. The attorneys prepared from a compilation of witness statements and evidence as if they were preparing for a real trial. Each side will not know exactly what to expect from the opposing side or the witnesses. So please enjoy the twists and turns of our theatrical, historical trial! I look forward to seeing you there!
~ Megan Tongue, Trial Director

Act of War or Mass Murder?

The Border Wars on Trial

http://youtu.be/ri4LDAnhDgk
[caption id="attachment_153" align="alignright" width="111"]Trial of Quantrill History (PowerPoint)[/caption]
Date: October 24, 2013
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Missouri TheatreAdmission is free.
In the early morning hours of August 21, 1863, William Clarke Quantrill and his Confederate raiders descended upon
Lawrence, Kansas, burned the town to the ground, and killed 150 men and boys. Now, 150 years later, Quantrill will go on trial for these killings. Was the Lawrence raid a legitimate act of war, just another battle in the bloody Civil War? Or was it something else... a massacre perpetrated in the name of revenge and therefore a war crime?
It's never too late to seek justice.

]]>

Act of War or Mass Murder?

The Border Wars on Trial

http://youtu.be/ri4LDAnhDgk
[caption id="attachment_153" align="alignright" width="111"]Trial of Quantrill History (PowerPoint)[/caption]
Date: October 24, 2013
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Missouri TheatreAdmission is free.
In the early morning hours of August 21, 1863, William Clarke Quantrill and his Confederate raiders descended upon
Lawrence, Kansas, burned the town to the ground, and killed 150 men and boys. Now, 150 years later, Quantrill will go on trial for these killings. Was the Lawrence raid a legitimate act of war, just another battle in the bloody Civil War? Or was it something else... a massacre perpetrated in the name of revenge and therefore a war crime?
It's never too late to seek justice.

]]>http://law.missouri.edu/hatts/2013/10/10/quantrill/feed/0The Trail’s End: The Trial of Bonnie Parkerhttp://law.missouri.edu/hatts/2012/04/09/bonnieparker/
http://law.missouri.edu/hatts/2012/04/09/bonnieparker/#commentsMon, 09 Apr 2012 17:25:42 +0000http://law.missouri.edu/hatts/?p=50
On Monday, April 9, 2012, the Historical and Theatrical Trial Society (HATTS) at the University of Missouri School of Law will present a historical mock trial of the State of Missouri v. Bonnie Elizabeth Parker.
On April 1, 1934, the notorious outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow allegedly gunned down a young highway patrolman. An eyewitness of the events said that it was Bonnie Parker who pulled the trigger. The shocking event became known as the "Grapevine Murder" and was particularly noteworthy because it was the first time Bonnie was thought to have actively participated in nefarious misdeeds of the Barrow gang. Now, MU law students and faculty will try Bonnie Parker for her role in the Grapevine Murder.
HATTS is a group of students and faculty dedicated to exploring the intersection of law, history, and theatre. Each year the society selects an event from history that represents a potential cause of action but was never tried in its own time. The members of the group then research the event and stage a mock trial in which they apply modern law to the historical facts. As part of the trial, various MU law students and faculty members portray characters involved with the crime and the lawyers who will try the case. The case will be tried by two teams comprised of one MU law student and one experienced attorney: the defendant will be represented by MU Law professor Ben Trachtenberg and the State will be represented by Scott Fox, assistant prosecuting attorney for Cooper County and MU Law alumnus.
Dane Rennier, the director for this year's production, noted that trial participants will be dressed in costumes from the time period and will act as their character would have in real life.
"HATTS has become an annual tradition of the MU School of Law and we are excited to share what we have learned in our legal coursework with the Columbia community. We are looking forward to another entertaining show," Rennier said.
The event is free and open to the public and will be held at the Missouri Theatre, 203 9th Street, Columbia. Doors will open at 7 pm. The trial will be conducted with both humorous and serious aspects and will be a family friendly show.
This year's trial will be the 6th annual HATTS production. Previous trials included the prosecutions of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, Governor Thomas Crittenden, Al Capone, John Brown and Dr. Victor Frankenstein.]]>
On Monday, April 9, 2012, the Historical and Theatrical Trial Society (HATTS) at the University of Missouri School of Law will present a historical mock trial of the State of Missouri v. Bonnie Elizabeth Parker.
On April 1, 1934, the notorious outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow allegedly gunned down a young highway patrolman. An eyewitness of the events said that it was Bonnie Parker who pulled the trigger. The shocking event became known as the "Grapevine Murder" and was particularly noteworthy because it was the first time Bonnie was thought to have actively participated in nefarious misdeeds of the Barrow gang. Now, MU law students and faculty will try Bonnie Parker for her role in the Grapevine Murder.
HATTS is a group of students and faculty dedicated to exploring the intersection of law, history, and theatre. Each year the society selects an event from history that represents a potential cause of action but was never tried in its own time. The members of the group then research the event and stage a mock trial in which they apply modern law to the historical facts. As part of the trial, various MU law students and faculty members portray characters involved with the crime and the lawyers who will try the case. The case will be tried by two teams comprised of one MU law student and one experienced attorney: the defendant will be represented by MU Law professor Ben Trachtenberg and the State will be represented by Scott Fox, assistant prosecuting attorney for Cooper County and MU Law alumnus.
Dane Rennier, the director for this year's production, noted that trial participants will be dressed in costumes from the time period and will act as their character would have in real life.
"HATTS has become an annual tradition of the MU School of Law and we are excited to share what we have learned in our legal coursework with the Columbia community. We are looking forward to another entertaining show," Rennier said.
The event is free and open to the public and will be held at the Missouri Theatre, 203 9th Street, Columbia. Doors will open at 7 pm. The trial will be conducted with both humorous and serious aspects and will be a family friendly show.
This year's trial will be the 6th annual HATTS production. Previous trials included the prosecutions of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, Governor Thomas Crittenden, Al Capone, John Brown and Dr. Victor Frankenstein.]]>http://law.missouri.edu/hatts/2012/04/09/bonnieparker/feed/0Creating Life and Death:The Trial of Dr. Frankensteinhttp://law.missouri.edu/hatts/2011/02/10/creating-life-and-death-the-trial-of-dr-frankenstein/
http://law.missouri.edu/hatts/2011/02/10/creating-life-and-death-the-trial-of-dr-frankenstein/#commentsThu, 10 Feb 2011 17:20:25 +0000http://law.missouri.edu/hatts/?p=42The University of Missouri School of Law's Historical and Theatrical Trial Society (HATTS) will present "Creating Life and Death: The Trial of Dr. Victor Frankenstein" on February 10, 2011.
Previous HATTS trials have featured Lewis and Clark's supposed theft of a Native American's canoe, Al Capone's role in the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, and Missouri Gov. Thomas Crittenden's alleged bounty on the head of outlaw Jesse James.
Now a new kind of "historical" character will be featured - one from the annals of literature. The story of Frankenstein is one that has intrigued the minds of people around the globe. Since it was first published, Frankenstein has inspired countless books, movies and works of art, not to mention its use in political rhetoric.
Dr. Victor Frankenstein will be tried for the wrongful death of his assistant, Igor, who was murdered by Frankenstein's monstrous creation. Is Dr. Frankenstein responsible for the actions of his creation, or should this "creature" be considered a human adult that is solely responsible for its own behavior? These questions and more will be argued and decided by MU Law faculty, staff and students, as well as practicing lawyers and judges.
The trial will be held at 7 p.m. in Jesse Auditorium on the University of Missouri campus. It is free and open to the public. Due to references to murder and other adult subjects in the story of Dr. Frankenstein, parental guidance for children 13 and under is encouraged.
HATTS is a group of students and faculty dedicated to exploring the intersection of law, history and theatre.
View the Petition filed by the Plaintiff]]>The University of Missouri School of Law's Historical and Theatrical Trial Society (HATTS) will present "Creating Life and Death: The Trial of Dr. Victor Frankenstein" on February 10, 2011.
Previous HATTS trials have featured Lewis and Clark's supposed theft of a Native American's canoe, Al Capone's role in the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, and Missouri Gov. Thomas Crittenden's alleged bounty on the head of outlaw Jesse James.
Now a new kind of "historical" character will be featured - one from the annals of literature. The story of Frankenstein is one that has intrigued the minds of people around the globe. Since it was first published, Frankenstein has inspired countless books, movies and works of art, not to mention its use in political rhetoric.
Dr. Victor Frankenstein will be tried for the wrongful death of his assistant, Igor, who was murdered by Frankenstein's monstrous creation. Is Dr. Frankenstein responsible for the actions of his creation, or should this "creature" be considered a human adult that is solely responsible for its own behavior? These questions and more will be argued and decided by MU Law faculty, staff and students, as well as practicing lawyers and judges.
The trial will be held at 7 p.m. in Jesse Auditorium on the University of Missouri campus. It is free and open to the public. Due to references to murder and other adult subjects in the story of Dr. Frankenstein, parental guidance for children 13 and under is encouraged.
HATTS is a group of students and faculty dedicated to exploring the intersection of law, history and theatre.
View the Petition filed by the Plaintiff]]>http://law.missouri.edu/hatts/2011/02/10/creating-life-and-death-the-trial-of-dr-frankenstein/feed/0United States v. John Brownhttp://law.missouri.edu/hatts/2009/10/15/brown/
http://law.missouri.edu/hatts/2009/10/15/brown/#commentsThu, 15 Oct 2009 17:09:58 +0000http://law.missouri.edu/hatts/?p=38
On October 15, 2009, the Historical and Theatrical Trial Society presented the trial of United States v. John Brown at the Missouri Theatre Center of Arts.
The HISTORICAL AND THEATRICAL TRIAL SOCIETY (HATTS) at the University of Missouri School of Law promotes thinking and reflection on the process of law by holding trials that never were. HATTS, created three years ago by Professor Stephen D. Easton (now Dean at the University of Wyoming College of Law), first presented "United States v. Meriwether Lewis and Silas Goodrich" at the new Elwood L. Thomas Inn of Court. Since then, HATTS participants have tried Missouri's Governor Crittenden for his role in the assassination of Jesse James and made sure that Al Capone was finally prosecuted for the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. On October 15th, in a change of venue from the Law School Courtroom to the bright lights of the Missouri Theatre of the Arts, HATTS puts John Brown on trial for his role in the murder of five pro-slavery men at the Pottawatomie Creek Massacre. Brown (freedom fighter to some, 19th century terrorist to others) was never tried for these crimes. Now, a jury of twelve, with a guest federal judge presiding, will decide whether Brown will be held accountable.
Resources about John Brown have been compiled on the Mid-Missouri Civil War Project here.]]>
On October 15, 2009, the Historical and Theatrical Trial Society presented the trial of United States v. John Brown at the Missouri Theatre Center of Arts.
The HISTORICAL AND THEATRICAL TRIAL SOCIETY (HATTS) at the University of Missouri School of Law promotes thinking and reflection on the process of law by holding trials that never were. HATTS, created three years ago by Professor Stephen D. Easton (now Dean at the University of Wyoming College of Law), first presented "United States v. Meriwether Lewis and Silas Goodrich" at the new Elwood L. Thomas Inn of Court. Since then, HATTS participants have tried Missouri's Governor Crittenden for his role in the assassination of Jesse James and made sure that Al Capone was finally prosecuted for the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. On October 15th, in a change of venue from the Law School Courtroom to the bright lights of the Missouri Theatre of the Arts, HATTS puts John Brown on trial for his role in the murder of five pro-slavery men at the Pottawatomie Creek Massacre. Brown (freedom fighter to some, 19th century terrorist to others) was never tried for these crimes. Now, a jury of twelve, with a guest federal judge presiding, will decide whether Brown will be held accountable.
Resources about John Brown have been compiled on the Mid-Missouri Civil War Project here.]]>http://law.missouri.edu/hatts/2009/10/15/brown/feed/0State of Missouri v. Governor Crittendenhttp://law.missouri.edu/hatts/2008/04/03/crittenden/
http://law.missouri.edu/hatts/2008/04/03/crittenden/#commentsThu, 03 Apr 2008 16:37:23 +0000http://law.missouri.edu/hatts/?p=16
Notorious outlaw Jesse James was killed by Robert Ford 126 years ago. On April 3, School of Law students brought to justice the man responsible, former Missouri governor Thomas Crittenden. The School of Law's Historical and Theatrical Trials Society (HATTS) presented a historical mock trial of Gov. Crittenden for his role in the murder of Jesse James. In 1881, Gov. Crittenden began strenuous efforts to rid Missouri of James' gang of criminals and, as part of his efforts, allied with railroad companies to circulate a $5,000 reward poster for James' apprehension "dead or alive." Robert Ford infiltrated James' gang and killed him on April 3, 1882. HATTS presented the trial of Gov. Crittenden for solicitation of murder through the reward poster and an alleged meeting with Ford.
As part of the trial, MU law students and members of the Columbia community portrayed characters involved with the James murder, with Prof. Greg Scott portraying Gov. Crittenden. The case was tried by two teams comprised of one MU law student and one experienced attorney each. The State of Missouri was represented by Professor Frank Bowman and Carrie C. Moreland, '08, while the defense was represented by Christopher A. Slusher, '91, and Joshua M. Jones, 3L. Jay Atkins, '08, former president of HATTS, says that one of the most important elements of the event was its historical accuracy. "All participants dressed in period costumes and acted in ways appropriate for the time period, which made the trial both realistic and very entertaining," he says.
Prof. Steve Easton, HATTS' faculty advisor, says that the trial was meant to appeal to more than just legal scholars. "The way we put together this event, we involved not just the School of Law, but also the greater university and Columbia communities," he explains. "We had local high school students and members of the state archives involved this year, so it was really a community event." The Crittenden jury ended up hung, seven to two in favor of conviction.
HATTS is a group of students and faculty dedicated to exploring the intersection of law, history and theatre. Each year the society selects an event from history that represents a potential cause of action but was never tried in its own time. Members then research the event and stage a mock trial in which they apply modern law to the historical facts.
Watch the Trial]]>
Notorious outlaw Jesse James was killed by Robert Ford 126 years ago. On April 3, School of Law students brought to justice the man responsible, former Missouri governor Thomas Crittenden. The School of Law's Historical and Theatrical Trials Society (HATTS) presented a historical mock trial of Gov. Crittenden for his role in the murder of Jesse James. In 1881, Gov. Crittenden began strenuous efforts to rid Missouri of James' gang of criminals and, as part of his efforts, allied with railroad companies to circulate a $5,000 reward poster for James' apprehension "dead or alive." Robert Ford infiltrated James' gang and killed him on April 3, 1882. HATTS presented the trial of Gov. Crittenden for solicitation of murder through the reward poster and an alleged meeting with Ford.
As part of the trial, MU law students and members of the Columbia community portrayed characters involved with the James murder, with Prof. Greg Scott portraying Gov. Crittenden. The case was tried by two teams comprised of one MU law student and one experienced attorney each. The State of Missouri was represented by Professor Frank Bowman and Carrie C. Moreland, '08, while the defense was represented by Christopher A. Slusher, '91, and Joshua M. Jones, 3L. Jay Atkins, '08, former president of HATTS, says that one of the most important elements of the event was its historical accuracy. "All participants dressed in period costumes and acted in ways appropriate for the time period, which made the trial both realistic and very entertaining," he says.
Prof. Steve Easton, HATTS' faculty advisor, says that the trial was meant to appeal to more than just legal scholars. "The way we put together this event, we involved not just the School of Law, but also the greater university and Columbia communities," he explains. "We had local high school students and members of the state archives involved this year, so it was really a community event." The Crittenden jury ended up hung, seven to two in favor of conviction.
HATTS is a group of students and faculty dedicated to exploring the intersection of law, history and theatre. Each year the society selects an event from history that represents a potential cause of action but was never tried in its own time. Members then research the event and stage a mock trial in which they apply modern law to the historical facts.
Watch the Trial]]>http://law.missouri.edu/hatts/2008/04/03/crittenden/feed/0